The Community
Press Happy Easter!
Volume 114, Issue 40
Wednesday, April 13, 2022
$1 Including GST
New addition opens at Train Station Leslie Cholowsky Editor
The Friends of the Battle River Rail Society held the grand opening of the new addition to their Station building in Forestburg on Friday, April 8. The event was opened to the public, with a fairsized crowd taking in the event and reception that followed. The addition is also the new office location of the Battle River Rail NGC, marking the first time the two entities are working out of the same building. Friends of the Battle River Railway Society Board President Lorna Williams acted as the emcee of a small presentation prior to the ribbon cutting. Williams welcomed all to the grand opening. She said the group was formed in 2013, beginning excursions and drawing additional focus to the railway, with much sup-
port from the Battle River Railway. A joint decision was made to expand the station for the purpose of offering office space to the Battle River Railway, and the society successfully applied to received a CFEP grant, Williams says, thanks in a large part to the work of the society’s Business Coordinator Bernadette Logozar. “The Battle River Railway has been involved right from the beginning with the plans [for the new space] and decisions made during the course of the project,” Williams said. “It’s been a coordinated effort, and tonight we are celebrating the completion of the addition to the Station.” She said that she still can’t get over the changes, when she walks past the new building, thinking back to the purchase of the original building a decade ago. “What an impact it
makes!” Williams introduced Battle River Railway NGC President Reg Enright to say a few words on behalf of that organization. “Every self-respecting railroad has to have a station house and a platform,” he said, “and when you drive by on the street it looks wonderful too. “I think it just turned out to be fantastic.” See STATION P11
Lorna Williams from Friends of Battle River Rail and Reg Enright from Battle River Railway NGC held the ribbon, cut by Forestburg Mayor Blaise Young to celebrate the opening of the new offices of Battle River Railway and the new addition to the Station in Forestburg on Friday, April 8. Below: The renovated Station.
Flagstaff Economic Development team receives provincial award Chalk up another award for Flagstaff County’s award-winning Economic Development team! The team captured the "Regional Collaboration and Partnership Project" award at last week's Economic Developers Alberta (EDA) conference for their 2021 Flagstaff Crafted Fall/Winter Gift Guide. "It is an honour to receive this award and to proudly showcase all of the amazing small businesses who participated in the gift guide!" says Shaina George, Flagstaff County Economic Development Coordinator. Every year, the EDA
presents its Awards of Excellence, honouring and recognizing the province’s best economic development programs, partnerships and professionals that have made significant contributions to the profession. The theme of this year's conference was "Renew, Rise, and Reposition." During the three-day conference, held in Kananaskis, the Economic Development team received updates on economic development issues and trends, listened to insightful keynote speakers, and enjoyed interactive networking opportunities. The team's bi-annual
gift guide is a visual collection of products and services intended to showcase the unique and incredible options that are available locally. The launch of the 2022 Flagstaff Crafted Spring/ Summer Collection will be announced soon. Accepting the ʻRegional Collaboration and Partnership Project Awardʼ at the Provincial EDA conference in Kananaskis last week were, from left: Flagstaff County Assistant CAO Brent Hoyland, Shaina George, Economic Development Coordinator, and Kerri Lefsrud, Administrative Assistant.